Foot accelerator



Nov. 2,1926.

' A. J. SCHWARTZ FOOT ACCELERATOR Filed March 1'7, 1926 IN VENT QR ATTORNEY WITNESS:

Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

ALFRED J. SCHWARTZ, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

FOOT ACCELERATOR.

Application filed. March 1'7, 1926. .Seria1.No.:95;363.

This invention relates to control devices for the engines of automobiles or the like, and has for its object the provision of a novel type of foot accelerator for control of the engine throttle, this accelerator being of such construction and so mounted as toeliminate the usual jerking and unevenness in theoperation such as occurs with the use of theordinary type of device.

An important and more specific object is the provision of a foot accelerator which is adapted to be. operated by lateral movement of the foot instead of up and down movement as is ordinarily the case, it being consequently clear that when passing over rough or uneven roads or other surfaces there willbe no tendency for the operators foot to press suddenly upon and then relieve the pressure upon the accelerator, thereby resulting in uneven operation of the motor.

Another object is the provision of a de-' vice of this character embodying a control element so mounted and arranged that when pushed to one side or the other it may remain in this position, it being consequently unnecessary for the operator to permit the throttle to close entirely as is the case when pressure is released on the ordinary type of accelerator.

An additional object is to provide a device of this character which will be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install, 7

control and operate, positive in action, eflicient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the details of construction, and the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail cross section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail section showing the means of connecting the movable plate with the carbureter control rod, and

Figure 5 is a plan view of the floor boards of a motor vehicle showing the device in applied position.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I have shown the device as comprising an elongated body 10 which may conveniently be formed as :a casting. adapted :to be inserted within a slot in the floorboards ot-an automobile or other support, the body being provided at its upper edgewith an outstanding flange 11 through which vmay be passed securing screws or the like *tor the purpose of efl'ectingsecuring, this flange. 11 being ,provided with suitable holes 127501 the purpose. The body 10 is longitudinally slotted as indicated at 13 and the opposite sides of the slot are formed with longitudinally extending grooves 14- for a purpose to be described. iFormed upon or suitably secured to the opposite'sides of the body are depending ears 15 carrying a pivot bolt 16 or the like, upon which is :rotatably' mounted a segmental gear 17, it being preferable that a bushing 18 be provided as the bearing element engaged upon the bolt 16.

Located within the slot 13 and slidable longitudinally thereof is a rack bar 19 meshing with the segmental gear 17 and provided with an upstanding knob or other projection 20 adapted to be engaged by the operators foot whereby the rack bar may be slid longitudinally in either direction. At opposite sides, this rack bar is formed with recesses in which are engaged bearing balls 21 which also fit within and roll along the grooves 147 formed in the opposite sides of the slot 13, the purpose being to reduce friction to a minimum.

The numeral 22 designates a control rod such as is ordinarily provided in connection with the throttle for the motor of an automobile, and this throttle rod is shown as carrying a socket member 23 adjustable by threading as indicated and by a lock nut 24, the socket member having a right angularly bent end portion 25 extending through a suitable hole 26 at one corner of the segmental gear, the retaining means preventing withdrawal preferably consisting of a suitable washer 27 and a cotter pin 28 or the like though it is of course conceivable phat such details may be varied within wide imit.

In Figure 5 I have disclosed the device as mounted upon the floor boards Act an automobile in a position to the right of the brake pedal B which is mounted adjacent the clutch pedal C. Obviously, there is no limitation as to the exact manner of use or Where the device may be located.

In the operation, it will be seen that when the operator engages the sole of his shoe against the button or knob 20 and slides the rack bar 19 in one direction or the other, the segmental gear 17 Will be rocked upon its pivot 16 and this will of course result in longitudinal movement of the rod 22 connected With the throttle of the motor, thereby controlling the speed. It is believed that the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art Without further explanation.

\Vhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of: the invention, it should be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangementof parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In a foot accelerator, an elongated body member formed with a longitudinally extending slot, a rack bar slidably mounted along said slot and having an operating projection, bracket means depending from said body member, asegmental gear pivoted ofthe motor, the opposite Walls of the slotted body being formed With elongated grooves, and ball members recessed into the opposite sides of the rack bar and travelling along said grooves.

2. In a foot accelerator. an elongated body member formed With a longitudinally extending slot, a rack bar slidably mounted along the slot and having an operating projection, bracket means depending from said body member, a segmental gear pivoted Within said bracket means and meshing with the rack gear, and an operative connection engaged with the segmental gear and adapted for connection with the control throttle of the motor, said body'member being provided at its top ivith outstanding flange adapted to engage upon the top surface of slotted support Within which. the body member is arranged.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' ALFRED JSCHVVARTZ. 

